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Bread likely to cost more

After the prices of onion, potato and other vegetables rose sharply, that of bread is also expected to rise soon.

The pav ladi comprising eight pavs, which is being sold at Rs 4 in Bombay and its suburbs is likely to cost more due to the steep increase in the price of maida, firewood, edible oils and Vanaspati in the recent past, industry sources said.

Shyam Pokle, vice president of the Bombay Bakers' Association said bakers hardly raise the price of the pav ladi, preferring to hike prices of other bakery products like toasts, sandwich bread and butter so that the lower classes, the largest consumers, are not affected.

"However, the increase in water charges and electricity has put an extra burden on us," said Pokle, adding that they had no option but to consider raising the price of the pav ladi.

According to Pokle, prices of a 90 kg bag of maida has risen from Rs 700 two months ago to between Rs 870 and 880 per bag now. Similarly, loose oil, which cost Rs 38, now costs between Rs 45 and 46 per kg. Firewood too has risen in cost, from Rs 150 about two months ago to between Rs 170 and 180 per quintal now.

To avoid increase in the price of the pav ladi, Pokle suggested the government make wheat and maida available at a concessional rates with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the association, which has about 250 members in the city and suburbs, has called for a meeting on November 7 to take stock of the impact on the price of pav ladis and, if necessary, to revise the prices with immediate effect.

This will be in line with the slice bread manufacturers who have already increased their prices about a fortnight ago, a press release issued by the association said.

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